System for applying a liquid, such as a deicing liquid, upon a pavement surface

Abstract

A system for applying a liquid, such as a deicing liquid, to a surface material, such as soil, sand, gravel, concrete, and asphalt. The system includes a mat possessing an array of upstanding tubular members and a pipe system maintained in the interstitial regions between the tubular members. In addition, a series of ports or nozzles may extend upwardly from the pipe such that the liquid drips or is sprayed on the surface of the material.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for applying a liquid upon a surface of a pavement material, comprising 
       (a) a molded mat substantially including (1) a substantially planar grid formed substantially by a plurality of intersecting struts, (2) a plurality of substantially upstanding tubular members spaced uniformly on and integrally molded with said grid with said tubular members being spaced such that a series of substantially parallel, substantially straight pathways are defined by said tubular members, and (3) at least one integrally molded rib substantially laterally extending across at least one said pathway;  
       (b) at least one pipe extending through a corresponding one of said pathways and resting upon said at least one rib; and  
       (c) valve means in operative communication with said at least one pipe for selectively permitting said liquid to flow within said at least one pipe substantially laterally to the exterior of said at least one pipe and onto said pavement material surface.  
     
     
       2. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said valve means selectively permits such flow only when the pressure of said liquid within said at least one pipe achieves a predetermined pressure level. 
     
     
       3. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib. 
     
     
       4. A system according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one pipe possesses a substantially cylindrically periphery in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib and wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a substantially arcuate configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in said region. 
     
     
       5. A system according to  claim 4  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 45 to 120 degrees. 
     
     
       6. A system according to  claim 4  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 160 to 270 degrees. 
     
     
       7. A system according to  claim 4  wherein said pavement material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       8. A system according to  claim 3  wherein said pavement material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       9. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one rib includes a cavity through which said at least one pipe extends. 
     
     
       10. A system according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper opening and further includes at least one resilient ear flexible in at least one direction to facilitate the placement of said at least one pipe into and the removal of said at least one pipe from a position of extension within said at least one rib cavity. 
     
     
       11. A system according to  claim 10  wherein said pavement material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       12. A system according to  claim 9  wherein said pavement material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       13. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said pavement material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       14. A pavement for facilitating the movement of traffic comprising: 
       (a) a molded mat substantially including (1) a substantially planar grid formed substantially by a plurality of intersecting struts, (2) a plurality of substantially upstanding tubular members spaced uniformly on and integrally molded with said grid with said tubular members being spaced such that a series of substantially parallel, substantially straight pathways are defined by said tubular members, and (3) at least one integrally molded rib substantially laterally extending across at least one said pathway;  
       (b) at least one pipe extending through a corresponding one of said pathways and resting upon said at least one rib;  
       (c) a nozzle in operative communication with said at least one pipe and extending substantially laterally from said at least one pipe;  
       (d) valve means in operative communication with said at least one pipe for selectively permitting a liquid to flow within said at least one pipe through said nozzle substantially laterally to the exterior of said at least one pipe;  
       (e) a paving material substantially saturating the region within said tubular members, around said tubular members, and around said at last one pipe, said paving material having an upper, substantially horizontal surface, and said mat, said at least one pipe, and said valve means located substantially below said horizontal surface, said paving material having a substantially open area or void substantially immediately above said nozzle such that said liquid within said at least one pipe may flow through said nozzle, to the exterior of said at least one pipe, and onto said horizontal surface.  
     
     
       15. A pavement according to  claim 14  wherein said valve means selectively permits such flow only when the pressure of said liquid within said at least one pipe achieves a predetermined pressure level. 
     
     
       16. A pavement according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib. 
     
     
       17. A pavement according to  claim 16  wherein said at least one pipe possesses a substantially cylindrically periphery in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at last one rib and wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a substantially arcuate configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in said region. 
     
     
       18. A pavement according to  claim 17  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 45 to 120 degrees. 
     
     
       19. A pavement according to  claim 17  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 160 to 270 degrees. 
     
     
       20. A pavement according to  claim 17  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       21. A pavement according to  claim 16  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       22. A pavement according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one rib includes a cavity through which said at least one pipe extends. 
     
     
       23. A pavement according to  claim 22  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper opening and further includes at least one resilient ear flexible in at least one direction to facilitate the placement of said at least one pipe into and the removal of said at least one pipe from a position of extension within said at least one rib cavity. 
     
     
       24. A pavement according to  claim 23  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       25. A pavement according to  claim 22  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       26. A pavement according to  claim 14  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       27. A system for applying a liquid upon a surface of a material, comprising: 
       (a) a mat substantially including (1) a substantially planar grid formed substantially by a plurality of interesting struts, (2) a plurality of substantially upstanding substantially tubular members spaced substantially in an array on said grid with said tubular members being spaced such that a series of pathways are defined by said tubular members, and (3) at least one rib substantially laterally extending across at least one said pathway;  
       (b) at least one pipe extending through a corresponding one of said pathways and resting upon said at least one rib; and  
       (c) valve means in operative communication with said at least one pipe for selectively permitting said liquid to flow within said at least one pipe substantially laterally to the exterior of said at least one pipe and onto said material surface.  
     
     
       28. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said valve means selectively permits such flow only when the pressure of said liquid within said at least one pipe achieves a predetermined pressure level. 
     
     
       29. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib. 
     
     
       30. A system according to  claim 29  wherein said at least one pipe possesses a substantially cylindrically periphery in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib and wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a substantially arcuate configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in said region. 
     
     
       31. A system according to  claim 30  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 45 to 120 degrees. 
     
     
       32. A system according to  claim 30  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 160 to 270 degrees. 
     
     
       33. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said at least one rib includes a cavity through which said at least one pipe extends. 
     
     
       34. A system according to  claim 33  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper opening and further includes at least one resilient ear flexible in at least one direction to facilitate the placement of said at least one pipe into and removal of said at least one pipe from a position of extension within said at least one rib cavity. 
     
     
       35. A system according to  claim 34  wherein said material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       36. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said material consists essentially of sod and grass. 
     
     
       37. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said material consists essentially of concrete. 
     
     
       38. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said material consists essentially of gravel. 
     
     
       39. A system according to  claim 27  wherein said material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       40. A pavement for facilitating the movement of traffic comprising: 
       (a) a mat substantially including (1) a substantially planar grid formed substantially by a plurality of intersecting struts, (2) a plurality of substantially upstanding substantially tubular members spaced substantially in an array on said grid with said tubular members being spaced such that a series of pathways are defined by said tubular members, and (3) at least one rib substantially laterally extending across at least one said pathway;  
       (b) at least one pipe extending through a corresponding one of said pathways and resting upon said at least one rib;  
       (c) a nozzle in operative communication with said at least one pipe and extending substantially laterally from said at least one pipe;  
       (d) valve means in operative communication with said at least one pipe for selectively permitting a liquid to flow within said at least one pipe through said nozzle substantially laterally to the exterior of said at least one pipe;  
       (e) a paving material substantially saturating the region within said tubular members, around said tubular members, and around said at least one pipe, said paving material having an upper, substantially horizontal surface, and said mat, said at least one pipe, and said valve means located substantially below said horizontal surface, said paving material having a substantially open area or void substantially immediately above said nozzle such that said liquid within said at least one pipe may flow through said nozzle, to the exterior of said at least one pipe, and onto said horizontal surface.  
     
     
       41. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said valve means selectively permits such flow only when the pressure of said liquid within said at least one pipe achieves a predetermined pressure level. 
     
     
       42. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib. 
     
     
       43. A pavement according to  claim 42  wherein said at least one pipe possesses a substantially cylindrically periphery in the region where said at least one pipe rests upon said at least one rib and wherein said at least one rib includes an upper surface possessing a substantially arcuate configuration substantially conforming to the peripheral configuration of said at least one pipe in said region. 
     
     
       44. A pavement according to  claim 43  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 45 to 120 degrees. 
     
     
       45. A pavement according to  claim 43  wherein said arcuate configuration forms substantially an arc in the range of about 160 to 270 degrees. 
     
     
       46. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said at least one rib includes a cavity through which said at least one pipe extends. 
     
     
       47. A pavement according to  claim 46  wherein said at least one rib includes an upper opening and further includes at least one resilient ear flexible in at least one direction to facilitate the placement of said at least one pipe into and the removal of said at least one pipe from a position of extension within said at least one rib cavity. 
     
     
       48. A pavement according to  claim 47  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       49. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said paving material consists essentially of sod and grass. 
     
     
       50. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said paving material consists essentially of concrete. 
     
     
       51. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said paving material consists essentially of gravel. 
     
     
       52. A pavement according to  claim 40  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       53. A system for applying a liquid upon a surface of a material, comprising 
       (a) a mat substantially including (1) a substantially planar grid formed substantially by a plurality of intersecting struts, (2) a plurality of substantially upstanding substantially tubular members spaced substantially in an array on said grid with said tubular members being spaced such that a series of pathways are defined by said tubular members, and (3) at least one rib substantially laterally extending across at least one said pathway;  
       (b) at least one pipe extending through a corresponding one of said pathways and extending through said at least one rib; and  
       (c) valve means in operative communication with said at least one pipe for selectively permitting said liquid to flow within said at least one pipe substantially laterally to the exterior of said at least one pipe.  
     
     
       54. A system according to  claim 53  wherein said valve means selectively permits such flow only when the pressure of said liquid within said at least one pipe achieves a predetermined pressure level. 
     
     
       55. A system according to  claim 53  wherein said at least one rib includes a cavity through which said at least one pipe extends. 
     
     
       56. A system according to  claim 53  wherein said paving material consists essentially of sod and grass. 
     
     
       57. A system according to  claim 53  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt. 
     
     
       58. A pavement for facilitating the movement of traffic comprising: 
       (a) a mat substantially including (1) a substantially planar grid formed substantially by a plurality of intersecting struts, (2) a plurality of substantially upstanding substantially tubular members spaced substantially in an array on said grid with said tubular members being spaced such that a series of pathways are defined by said tubular members, and (3) at least one rib substantially laterally extending across at least one said pathway;  
       (b) at least one pipe extending through a corresponding one of said pathways and extending through said at least one rib;  
       (c) a nozzle in operative communication with said at least one pipe and extending substantially laterally from said at least one pipe;  
       (d) valve means in operative communication with said at least one pipe for selectively permitting a liquid to flow within said at least one pipe through said nozzle substantially laterally to the exterior of said at least one pipe;  
       (e) a paving material substantially saturating the region within said tubular members, around said tubular members, and around said at least one pipe, said paving material having an upper, substantially horizontal surface, and said mat, said at least one pipe, and said valve means located substantially below said horizontal surface, said paving material having a substantially open area or void substantially immediately above said nozzle such that said liquid within said at least one pipe may flow through said nozzle, to the exterior of said at least one pipe, and onto said horizontal surface.  
     
     
       59. A pavement according to  claim 58  wherein said valve means selectively permits such flow only when the pressure of said liquid within said at least one pipe achieves a predetermined pressure level. 
     
     
       60. A pavement according to  claim 58  wherein said at least one rib includes a cavity through which said at least one pipe extends. 
     
     
       61. A pavement according to  claim 58  wherein said paving material consists essentially of sod and grass. 
     
     
       62. A pavement according to  claim 58  wherein said paving material consists essentially of asphalt.